Apr 01,2008 00:00 by
UPI PHOENIX -- Republican strategists say Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has not used the time the extended Democratic nomination battle has given him wisely.

Observers say they wonder about the direction the presumptive GOP presidential nominee is taking and why he hasn't scheduled more fundraising events, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

McCain hasn't been able to capitalize fully on the Democratic nomination battle between Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., to get his message out to the voters and raise funds, observers said.

McCain began his week-long "Service to America" journey, putting him in places that influenced his life. His campaign says the tour is to provide voters a chance to get to know McCain better.

He also has assembled an unusual campaign structure, relying on 10 regional managers who make day-to-day decisions in states under their purview, The Post said.

The McCain team recognizes the need to raise money, advisers said, pointing to the $11 million McCain raised in February -- an eighth of his rivals' combined total.

But fundraising has improved and McCain collected $5 million in a West Coast swing last week. Senior adviser Charles Black Jr. said the March fundraising number will be "impressive."